Author: Richard Craven

The first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff is set to crown a champion, with No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 8 Ohio State battling for the title on January 20 at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Both teams have a chance to end championship droughts, with Notre Dame seeking its first title since 1988 and Ohio State aiming to secure its second CFP title, their last being in 2014. Coaches Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame) and Ryan Day (Ohio State) will look to make history, adding personal stakes to the matchup. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1) What we learned in the semifinal:Notre Dame’s defining…

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake shook southwest Mexico on Sunday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor was centered near Coalcoman de Vazquez Pallares, a municipality of approximately 20,000 residents, located roughly 600 kilometers (373 miles) west of Mexico City. The quake struck at a depth of 86.2 kilometers (53.6 miles). No Immediate Reports of Casualties or Damage Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that national emergency services were reviewing the situation. “There are no new developments and [emergency services] are initiating review protocols,” Sheinbaum shared. Mexico’s Earthquake Vulnerability Mexico is situated…

The Iowa athletic department announced today that newly signed transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski will undergo surgery in the coming weeks, delaying his on-field workouts until June. Gronowski, a standout from South Dakota State University, is entering his final year of college eligibility. Support for Gronowski’s Decision Head coach Kirk Ferentz supported Gronowski’s choice to address the injury with surgery. “Mark played last season with a common football-related injury,” Ferentz shared in a statement. “While he could have continued to play through the injury, Mark is choosing to have a procedure to address the issue, and we support him in his…

MELBOURNE, Jan 12 (Reuters) – Aryna Sabalenka began her quest for a third consecutive Australian Open title with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Sloane Stephens on Sunday. Despite rain disrupting much of the opening day’s action at Melbourne Park, play continued on the covered showcourts, including Rod Laver Arena, where Sabalenka secured her victory in just over an hour. Sabalenka Shines Indoors The top-seeded Belarusian faced moments of resistance from the 2017 U.S. Open champion Stephens but ultimately dominated with five breaks of serve and 20 winners. After clinching her spot in the second round, Sabalenka celebrated with an…

The report on money transfer services provides a comprehensive analysis of the market, covering the historical period of 2019-2024 and the forecast periods of 2024-2029 and 2029-2034. It evaluates the market by region and major economies, offering insights into trends and growth drivers. Market Overview The global money transfer services market reached a value of approximately $36.34 billion in 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.02% since 2019. It is projected to expand to $78.12 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 16.54%. From 2029, the market is expected to grow at an accelerated CAGR of…

At least five people have lost their lives as wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles, leaving behind widespread destruction and forcing residents to evacuate their homes. Among the ongoing blazes, a new fire named the Sunset Fire has erupted in the Hollywood Hills, putting several iconic landmarks, including the Hollywood sign and Dolby Theatre, at risk. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Sunset Fire has grown to 20 acres and is burning between Runyon Canyon and Wattles Park. Other landmarks such as the Hollywood Bowl and the Hollywood Walk of Fame are also in danger. On Wednesday evening,…

Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president who considered himself an outsider even while in the Oval Office, will be honored Thursday with a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral. A second service and burial will take place in his small hometown of Plains, Georgia. President Joe Biden, the first sitting senator to endorse Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign, will deliver a eulogy just 11 days before Carter’s presidential term would have officially ended. All living former U.S. presidents are expected to attend the Washington funeral, including President-elect Donald Trump, who paid his respects on Wednesday before Carter’s casket. This rare gathering…

Shares of chemical companies SRF Ltd and Navin Fluorine International surged by up to 14% on Thursday, following a brokerage firm Equirus Capital report highlighting a significant increase in global refrigerant gas prices. The price hike comes amid warnings from a prominent U.S. distributor with substantial quotas pointing to severe supply constraints for critical refrigerant gases, R32 and R125. These supply shortages pose challenges for the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry.

Texas is bracing for freezing rain and snow this week, with local forecasters predicting the potential for wintry weather across the Hill Country and northern I-35 corridor. Why it matters: A polar vortex bringing arctic air from Canada has caused temperatures to plummet across the state. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state’s grid operator, has declared a “weather watch” through Friday due to the extreme cold. Texans remain on edge about the grid’s performance, given its history of vulnerabilities during severe weather. Threat level: Between the lines: Texans are particularly sensitive to extreme weather predictions after the…

This is a deeply troubling and emotional story that highlights complex family dynamics, abuse, and secrets. Shari Franke’s memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, brings to light her harrowing experiences growing up in the Franke household, led by her mother Ruby Franke, the former “8 Passengers” vlogger, and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt. The memoir alleges not only severe child abuse, for which Ruby and Jodi are currently serving prison time but also sheds light on the possibility of an intimate relationship between Ruby and Jodi—despite their public condemnation of queerness through their ConneXions coaching…